Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817330662545387095/episodes/16817330665701308983
“That’s what happened…….”
I serve a second cup of tea to Ari san after she finishes recounting Sunday’s events. A comforting sweet and sour aroma rose from the deep reddish amber tea, but Ari san’s expression remained somber.
“I thought that with the amulet Kingo gave me, I would definitely pass the exam. It broke right in front of my eyes, and my mind went blank……. Then I took the test for the first subject, but I wasn’t doing well, and I was in such a hurry that I knew I couldn’t do it….so I…..”
Ari san sniffed again.
The end of the story is not to be told. The hairpin that had been so dear to her broke, and she was in shock.
“Kingo, I’m sorry. You went to the trouble of giving me a gift, but I broke it……”
“That’s not something you should apologize for, Ari san.”
“That’s true, but because of that, I was so upset that I couldn’t show my ability in the exam. I feel bad for Ryoko san and Shino san, who have been watching me study all the time, and I don’t know how to face them…”
The hint of [failing exam] happened by accident.
Did the bad omen suggested by the cherished amulet overstimulate the nervous test taker’s mind?
It’s just a jinx. But still.
A single hairpin can be both encouraging and unsettling. It seems that being highly sensitive is both Ari san’s strength and her weakness.
“Don’t be so uptight. They will not blame you because you did not perform well in the test. Don’t you think they would rather be sad that you are depressed and they can’t do anything for you?””
“Sad……?”
“Yes, both of them have been worrying for a long time because they haven’t heard from you. If nothing happened today, Ryoko was supposed to contact me. And we were discussing that if you was depressed, the three of us would cheer you up.”
“I see. If that was the case, I should have reported it earlier.”
Don’t expect us to get discouraged and give up on you. However, when people think too much about it, they tend to think in the wrong direction. As a result, Ari san got scared and did not contact us.
“I have to report it to Ryoko san and the others……”
“Please do so. We care about the result, but we also care about Ari san’s heart.”
It is regrettable that you did not show his ability, but that is now past.
The only thing we are concerned about is Ari san, who was shocked.
“It’s a shame that you didn’t get off to a good start, but there’s no point in feeling sorry for yourself. So for now, let’s think about what lies ahead.”
‘Ahead……you mean the second round of exams, right?”
“Yes. I would like to confirm it as it also takes into account the future direction of the teaching. Can you show me?”
After the common examinations are over, schools usually make students take their own scores. The school then compiles the scores and sends them to a materials company, which then sends a statistical score report to the school.
However, it is a little while before the company sends the score report. Recently, however, a major prep school has released a smartphone application that allows students to find out whether they have passed or failed an exam, so they can enter the school of their choice and their scores and immediately find out the results.
Ari san took her smartphone out of her bag. I received a device made of silicon and covered by a cute cover with tiger cat ears popping out.
“Don’t be disappointed…….”
“I won’t.”
I looked at the display with bated breath while keeping a little reserve.
The result of the test was……
[National Hokusei University, grade C.]
I gasp as I see the words on the screen.
“I-I’m sorry ! It’s terrible……”
Ari san apologizes to me, looking at my face. But I was not offended or discouraged.
“It wasn’t terrible at all.”
“Really?”
Yes. In fact….it was better than I thought it would be. I thought it was an E or a hopeless grade because you were so depressed…..”
This reminds me of a scene from this time last year. It is a nervous reaction when it comes to the examinations.
Regardless of that, Ari san’s grade was a C, which is neither good nor bad. It was not as good as the A she got in the last mock test, but it was not enough to make me despair. I patted my chest in relief.
Looking at the breakdown, I did well in the liberal arts subjects on the first day. The percentage of correct answers in Japanese, which had been my weak point, was a remarkable 80%.
On the other hand, the subjects on the second day, where she had some bad luck, were not so good. In science, she could not show my ability at all. She is relatively good at mathematics.
“I see….I got a C. C……..”
A C grade is not low at all. But it’s not so good that you can throw your hands up in joy.
The passing rate is about fifty percent, but it is a rough estimate. It is difficult to decide whether or not to take the plunge.
“Have you told your parents anything about applying to Hokusei University?”
As I recall, Ari san’s parents are not keen on the idea of her applying to Hokusei University. I wonder if they would be opposed to their daughter entering a 50-50 competition.
“My dad told me that I can do whatever I like. They were worried when I told them I was going to Hokusei University, but I think they are being considerate. The results of the mock exam were good.”
Ari san looked down.
“I’m even more anxious when I think they trust me. If I’m selfish and I fail the exam and end up being a ronin, I will cause a lot of trouble for them. But I’ve worked so hard and I don’t want to give up. What should I do….”
I see, she is feeling the pressure of responsibility for failure given her discretion.
“Hey, what do you think I should do? Do I take Hokusei University as planned, or do I drop out of the school of my choice?”
Ari san clung to me with a weak look on her face.
It is obvious that this is an SOS to me.
She wants me to decide. She can’t decide for herself.
No matter what I say, she will obey. It’s easy for her to stay as she is told by others. If something happens, she can blame it on that person.
But that’s not the way it should be. She–no, we will eventually grow up. She has to be able to decide for herself.
“That is for you to decide. You are the one who understands best what she wants to do. So let me know your feelings…..and your choice.”
So I gently let go of her hand that was holding mine.
If I could, I would push her back. I would like to guide her to Hokusei University. However, in this case, Ari san has to make a decision that she can proudly say was her own.
She bit his lip and turned her head down in disappointment. It seems that she still lacks the courage to make the decision on her own.
It can’t be helped. It would be permissible to give her a little bit of a tailwind, just a little.
“If you get a C, there is still hope, so I think it would be a shame to give up.”
“The odds are 50-50. You may be accepted or you may fail…….”
“But you can’t say that you will definitely fail. You should be calm and think about it. Be calm like I was a year ago.”
“Last year Kingo……?”
Ari san tilts her head, not understanding what I’m talking about. I continue.
“My result of the common exam was also a C.”
“Is that so !?”
“Yes. When I saw the result, I was knocked to the floor and thought that I’ve already lost. I was expecting a grade of B, but it was lower than that, and waiting for another year crossed my mind.””
“And then what happened !?”
“My homeroom teacher and family members were also very reluctant. Especially my parents were like Ari san’s, they didn’t want me to wait for another year, so I should lower my school of choice. I was told in a roundabout way that I should drop the school I wanted to enter.”
“But you still didn’t give up?”
“I gave up once. I thought about giving up and applying to Shiritsu University. But there were people who told me not to give up.”
“Is it Ryoko san by any chance?”
I smiled and nodded.
“She said that it’s not like me to give up after a 50-50 gamble.”
“Ahaha, that’s just like Ryoko san.”
“It’s not just Ryoko. Nobuhiko and Yua from Lyconess also encouraged me not to give up at that time. [We will have a 50-50 gamble from now on. You won’t make it if you give up just like this.] He said.”
He didn’t take an entrance exam, but he say that. I wanted to kick him.
But what he said to me at that time still sticks in my mind.
“If you are weak because you don’t win, you won’t be able to achieve your dreams. It is in times like this that you need to stay calm and think carefully about whether or not you can overcome the obstacles.”
I’m sure that Ari san can still do her best. I knew her perseverance well from the past two months. The real Ari san would not give up at a place like this.
She closed her eyes, hesitated, took a few breaths, grabbed a broken hairpin by the handkerchief, and pressed it against her chest.
“I, I don’t want to give up……. ! Kingo did his best last year. I have to do my best too !”
Her voice and eyes held a strong will.
She started walking again with a tailwind. But the one who took the helm was none other than Ari san herself.
I was waiting for her decision.
“That’s the spirit. We should take measures to make up for the time we missed in the common exam in the second exam.”
“Yeah ! I have to study a lot for that. Kingo, I know you’re probably busy with your final exams, but would you be willing to help me again?”
“Of course ! I will give you lessons until the very last minute of the second exam !”
It doesn’t hurt to drop a credit or two. I’m prepared to throw away the liberal arts courses that don’t affect my advancement.
“Ehehe, thanks. Also,……I have one more favor to ask you,…….”
Ari san fidgets and blushes in embarrassment. What exactly do you want me to do?
“I want you to come to the university to cheer me up on the day of the second exam.”
“Do you want me to cheer you up?”
“Yeah…………………….with your guitar.”
“G-guitar?”
Why a guitar !?
“I want you to sing a cheering song before the exam…..ehe.”
I-I see, a cheering song. It would surely help me relax and be encouraged to play a live song to cheer up the students.
But on the day of the exam? Hokusei is a liberal school, and as long as you go through the procedures, you can have a mini live performance on campus. But there was no way I would be allowed to do so on the day of the entrance exam.
I was worried about it, and Ari san looked at me with a look of concern. I’m sure she knows that she is asking too much of me. But if it would encourage her, I would be happy to help her…….
“I understand. I will sing for Ari san on the day !”
“Really !?”
“Yes, I’ll do something !”
“Yay ! (I was only joking, but whatever.)”
So, despite the crisis, Ari san decided to apply to Hokusei University as she had originally planned.
In just a few more days, I’m sure that Ari san’s dream will come true.
I was filled with hope and wondered if I had bought enough strings to replace the ones I was going to sing on the day of the exam.
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